Bow to Know One Rundred 

Ulild Birds 



of Wisconsin ana 
foe nortbwesi 



By D/Cange 



QL 



School Education Company 

-Publi$l>m- 
minneapolis, minneiota 



Bow Co Know One fitmflred 

KHId Birds 

of Wisconsin and 
tbe northwest 



By D. LANGE, 

Supervisor of Nature Study, 

St. Paul Public Schools. 

Author of Handbook of Nature Study, Our Native 

Birds, etc. Lecturer on Birds and 

Nature Study. 



b * » * • ' 



Minneapolis, Minnesota. 
School Education Company. 



IRESS 
Vwo Copies tfec&vea 

JAN 80 (S05 

GUiSJi ay AXc» Hoi ; 
COPY 8. 



J 



.W A L 3 



Copyright, 1904. 
BY DIETRICH LANGS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The birds in this booklet are arranged in a 
manner which requires no previous knowledge 
about birds. 

Section I. — Land Birds. 

Page. 

1. Woodpeckers and other Climbers 7 

2. Other Birds Marked with Red. 10 

3. Birds Marked with Blue 13 

4. Birds Marked with Yellow or Orange. 14 

5. Birds Marked with Reddish Brown. 18 

6. Birds of the Air 19 

7. Birds Chiefly Colored Black or 
Black and White 23 

8. Birds Chiefly Dull Colored.. 25 

9. Birds Chiefly Colored Slate or Gray.. 27 

10. Birds Colored Brown or Streaked... 29 

11. Quail, Prairie Chickens and Grouse. 36 

12. Eagles, Hawks and Owls 3S 

Section II. — Water Birds and Shore Birds. 

A. Waders and Shore Birds. 

1. Large Waders 42 

2. Small Waders and Shore Birds 44 

B. Birds that Swim and Dive. 

1. Coots, Grebes and Loons.... 47 

2. Terns, Gulls and Cormorants 48 

3. Ducks and Geese 50 

1 



Introduction. 

The illustrations for these birds can be found 
by young and old in woods and fields and often 
in our own door-yards. With very little 
thought and patience anyone may identify, one 
hundred or more birds, if he sees the living 
bird. Open eyes and ears is all that is needed; 
an opera glass is sometimes serviceable, but 
it is not necessary. 

The following points are of importance for 
naming a bird : Color and size, call notes and 
song , manner of flight and feeding, nesting 
habits, place and season, any peculiar habits. 
The English Sparrow and the Robin are con- 
venient standards of size. The Robin is 10 
inches and the English Sparrow 6% inches 
long. 

The call notes and songs of birds are of 
great importance. Birds are often heard be- 
fore they are seen, and while their calls and 
songs are difficult to describe, they are easy 
to remember. The Crow, Blue Jay, Robin, Cat- 
bird, Brown Thrasher, Bluebird, Northern Yel- 
lowthroat and many others are as easily named 
from their calls or songs as from their colors. 
The other points mentioned should also be 
observed to avoid wild guesses. The adult males 
of many birds are more brightly colored than 
the females and the young. 

The best time of the day to study birds is in 
the morning and early forenoon and again 
towards evening. The best seasons are spring 
and early summer, but winter is also a good 



Introduction. 

time. After s little practice one can find 
birds at nearly all hours, seasons and places. 

Never run after birds ; rather sit down and 
keep quiet, and the birds will often come to 
you. One person going alone will see more 
birds than two or three persons, and a noisy 
crowd will see very few or none. Birds are 
justly suspicious of noisy crowds. 

Private persons, graded and common schools, 
should not make or buy mounted birds or 
collections of eggs. Every egg collected means 
the destruction of a bird, and every bird 
mounted is apt to mean the killing and maim- 
ing of three or four. The living bird on bush 
or lake is a source of a much higher pleasure 
to us than a dead skin in a neglected collec- 
tion or on a hat. Let the boys and girls go 
fishing and let them collect flowers, insects and 
minerals, but no eggs and birds. 

No decent, thinking boy or man will shoot 
at a harmless bird, just to see how near he 
can come to hitting it. How would the gun 
fool like to furnish target practice for some 
bigger fool who needs a still bigger target? 

It often happens that crippled birds or young 
birds are found in a half-starved or helpless 
condition. All young birds may be fed meal- 
worms; raw, fresh beef, unsalted and cut into 
small pieces; or hard boiled eggs and boiled 
potatoes chopped together. They must be fed 
at least every hour, until they have learned to 
eat alone. Old birds should be put in a large 



Introduction. 

cage and in a quiet place. Those with a rather 
thin, long bill will eat the food given above; 
those with a rather stout, cone-shaped bill will 
eat bird seed and perhaps small grain. Pro- 
vide all captured birds with clean water, and 
let them go as soon as they are able to take 
care of themselves. 

Wrens and especially Bluebirds and Mar- 
tins are often greatly in need of proper nesting 
places. Fasten a box of any shape to a smooth 
post. The wrens need a hole the size of a 
nickel, bluebirds one about twice as large. 
Martin boxes should have holes about 2% 
inches square. Cut an x into a piece of tin, 
turn back the flaps, put the post through the 
hole, turn the tin down and nail it tight to the 
pole or post about five feet up. That will pre- 
vent cats, squirrels, mice and rats from rob- 
bing the nests. Turn the opening of the box 
toward the southeast. Place the box so that 
nothing can jump on it from above. See Lange, 
"Our Native Birds," for further information 
about attracting and protecting the birds. It 
also tells how to deal with the English Spar- 
row pest. 

The present little book is especially adapted 
for Wisconsin, Minnesota and the two Da- 
over a much wider area. While its main ob- 
ject is to identify the birds, some hints about 
their interesting habits, song and usefulness 
are added. 



Introduction. 

Nature has bountifully endowed the North- 
west with things beautiful as well as useful. 
Ourselves and our children should no longer 
remain blind to the beauties and the music of 
nature. Everybody is interested in birds. 
"What bird is that?" is often asked b% young 
and old who see and hear birds during a few 
leisure hours and on holidays. For this large 
class of unprofessional bird lovers this little 
guide is intended, and to this class the writer 
should like to make many converts. 

The price of the book brings it within reach 
of everybody, and its size is such that it may 
conveniently be taken into the field or con- 
sulted at home. 

The migration dates refer to the latitude of 
Central Wisconsin. In Southern Wisconsin 
birds arrive a little earlier in spring and re- 
main a little later in fall. For Northern Wis- 
consin the conditions are reversed. The dates 
give the average arrival of birds in spring and 
in many cases also indicate the time during 
which the bird has been observed to remain in 
this latitude. For most of these records I am 
indebted to Mr. John W. Taylor of St. Paul, 
others are taken from my own notes. 

Many of the birds described can be seen in 
the parks of Wisconsin towns. Mounted spec- 
imens of all can be. found in the Public Mu- 
seum of Milwaukee. I have consulted with 
much profit: The Birds of Wisconsin, by L. 
Kumlien and N. Hollister. Published by the 
Public Museum of Milwaukee. 
5 



Explanations. The length or size of birds is 
indicated in inches, thus : American Robin, L. 
10. English Sparrow, L. 6%. One is apt to 
underestimate the size of birds in the field. A 
bird that breeds in the Northwest and migrates 
south in fall is a Summer Resident (S. R.), 
one that stays with us always is a Permanent 
Resident (P. R.), and one that breeds farther 
north and only passes through our region in 
spring and fall is a Migrant (M.) One that 
only spends the winter with us and goes north 
to breed is a Winter Visitant (W. V.) 

The scientific names and the check number 
of the American Ornithologist Union are ad- 
ded for reary reference to larger bird books. 

Abbreviations, 

L. Length. 

M. Migrant. 

P. R. Permanent Resident. 

S. R. Summer Resident. 

W. V. Winter Visitant. 
As far as possible, the most common or con- 
spicuous birds are placed first in each group. 
The scientific names of birds and the check 
numbers o ithz American Ornithologist's Un- 
ion have been added for ready reference to 
larger bird books. This booklet describes 134 
common birds, of which about 100 may be 
identified in almost any county of the North- 
west. 



LAND BIRDS 

1. Woodpeckers and Other Birds that 
Climb on the Trunks and Branch- 
es of Trees. 

This includes, besides Woodpeckers, Sap- 
suckers, Nuthatches, the Brown Creeper and 
the Black and White Warbier. The first nine 
described nest in hollows excavated in trees, 
stumps and poles. All of them are partly iden 2 
tified by their habits. 

Red-headed Woodpecker. L. 9%. 

Head, neck and breast of both sexes red, 
back and wings black with two large white 
spots, tail black, below, pure white. No bars 
or stripes. One of the most conspicuous birds 
in North America, bearing the colors of the 
German flag. Young, grayish and dusky, no 
red nor pure white and black. Often catches 
insects on the wing and on the ground. Often 
sits quietly on the top of a pole or post. For 
nesting sites it prefers telegraph and telephone 
poles. S. R. only, May 10 to Sept. 4. Melan- 
erpes erythrocephalus. 406. 

Northern Flicker. Yellowhammer, Highhole, 
Golden-winged Woodpecker. L. 13. 
Often feeds on the ground in company with 

robins, digs with its bill for small ants. In 

7 



Land Birds. 

flight it shows a white rump and yellow under 
the wings and tail. General color, brownish, 
barred above and spotted below, a red band 
on the nape and a black crescent on the breast. 

Abundant S. R., March 28 to Oct. 13. 

Colaptes auratus luteus. 412a. 

Northern Downy Woodpecker. L. 6.5. 

A common permanent resident, looks very 
much like the Hairy Woodpecker, but is much 
smaller, only a little larger than the English 
Sparrow. A broad white stripe down the. back; 
wings black, spotted with white; outer tail 
feathers white, but barred with black; a red 
band on the nape of the male; below, white. 
Notes, a sharp peek and a screaming rattle. 
This scream is our first sound of ispring, it is 
uttered on mild mornings beginning with the 
middle of February. Dryobates pubescens 
medianus. 394c. 

Hairy Woodpecker. L. 9. 

Has a broad white stripe down its black 
back, very distinct white spots and bars on the 
black wings ; male with a red band on the 
nape ; outer tail feathers white, but not barred ; 
below, white. Notes, a sharp, loud "pleek" 
and a loud rattling scream. Looks much like 
the smaller Downy Woodpecker, is much larg- 
er, but not as common. P. R. Dryobates vil- 
losus. 393. 

8 



Birds that Climb. 

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. L. 8J/£. 

This is the bird that makes the rings of 
round holes in apple trees, basswoods and other 
trees. Crown and throat of male, red, lower 
parts distinctly yellowish; upper parts black, 
abundantly barred and spotted with white. Fe~ 
male, similar, but white on the throat. S. R. 
Sphyrapicus v arias. 402. 

Pileated Woodpecker. Logcock. L. 17. 

Our largest woodpecker, all black. Male 
with scarlet crest and cheek-patch, whitish 
stripe on head and neck. No red on female. 
In the northern woods. A grand bird, 

CeopJilaeus pileatus, 405. 

Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. L. 9^. 

Back shining black, no white on back. Be- 
low white. Crozvn of male yellow, no yellow 
on female. Common P R. in northern Wis- 
consin and Minnesota. Picoides arcticus. 400. 
April 10. 

White-breasted Nuthatch. L». 6. 

A permanent resident, more easily observed 
in winter than in summer. A small bird of a 
general ashy-bine color, always minutely ex- 
ploring trunks and limbs with a jerky motion, 
does not brace on its tail like woodpeckers. 
Cap and neck almost black; below, whitish. 
Note, a rather loud, nasal "y an k, yank, yank." 
They are generally seen in pairs, and can easily 
be tamed by placing bits of suet or cracked 



Land Birds. 

nuts in the bark of a tree. Sitta carolinensis. 
727. 

Red -breasted Nuthatch. L.. 4%. 

Very similar in shape and habits to the form- 
er, but has black and white stripes on the head, 
is brownish below and smaller. Migrant from 
the north, most common in autumn. Sitta 
canadensis. 728. 

Black and White Warbler. Black and White 

Creeper. L. 5J4- 

A little bird most properly named. Upper 
parts distinctly streaked with black and white, 
no brownish, white below. An active climber, 
often seen on lower side of branches. Song, 
a thin "see-see-,see-see-see-see." Nest on the 
ground. Common S. R. Mniotilta varia. 636. 

Brown Creeper. L. 5%. 

The most patient little climber and searcher 
of trees and boughs. Generally climbs around 
a tree in a spiral. Dull brownish and 
streaked, tail-feathers pointed and stiffened, 
used as braces ; long bill slightly curved. S. 
R. in northern, P. R. in southern part of state. 
Nest behind loosened bark of trees. Certhia 
familiaris americana. 726. 

2. Birds Marked -with Red, other than 
Woodpeckers. 

This group includes the Scarlet Tanager, 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-winged Black- 

10 



Birds Marked With Red. 

bird, Purple Finch, Red-poll, Pine Grosbeak, 
American Crossbill and White-winged Cross- 
bill. Only the males show red, the females do 
not. 

Red-winged Blackbird. L. 9%. 

One of our most common birds of sloughs, 
lakes and marshes. Adult male, black with red 
patch on shoulders. Female, brownish black 
above, whitish and streaked with black below. 
Young without red. Often seen on fields and 
on trees. Nest in rushes or low bushes. 
S. R., but comes early and stays late. Assem- 
bles in large flocks in autumn. March 31 to 
Nov. 4. Agelaius phoeniceus. 498. 

Scarlet Tanager. L. 7%. 

In woodlands. General color of male, scarlet, 
wings and tail black; female, olive-green, yel- 
lowish below. Song similar to that of a robin. 
Nest on horizontal limb, ten to twenty feet up. 
Fairly common S. R. 7 May 12 to Aug. 17. 
Piranga erythromelas. 608. 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak. L. 8. 

In the woods. Perhaps our -finest singer. 
Bill cone-shaped, very stout Head, black, a 
bright rose-red blotch on breast, black and 
white above. Female, brownish and mottled. 
Nest on bushes and trees, five to twenty feet 
up. Common S. R., May 7 to Sept. 12. Za- 
melodia ludoznceana. 595. 
11 



Land Birds. 

Purple Finch. L. 6^. 

Not purple at all, but dull rose-red, quite 
bright an head and rump; back, brownish; 
belly, whitish; females, grayish brown. Bill 
stout and cone-shaped. Often seen in consid- 
erable flocks during the spring and fall migra- 
tion along edges of woods. S. R., in northern 
part, March 22. Carpodacus purpureus. 517. 

Redpoll. L. 5%. 

Crozvn, red; general color, brownish; male 
washed with rose on breast and rump ; no rose 
on female. Common winter visitant, seen 
along edges of woods and on weeds. Breeds 
north of the United States. Call notes, "cheer.," 
similar to those of the Gold finch. Acanthis 
linaria. 528. 

Pine Grosbeak. L. 8%. 

General color of male rose red, wings and 
tail dusky, two white bars on wing. Bill very 
stout. Female gray and greenish. W. V., es- 
pecially in the northern woods of Wisconsin 
and probably of Minnesota. Pinecola enucle- 
ator leucura. 515. 

American Crossbill. L. 6. 

Mandibles crossed. Male greenish or yel- 
lowish red. Wings and tail dusky, no white 
bars. Female dull greenish above, yellowish 
below. Common W. V. in Wisconsin, and 
possibly in wooded parts of Minnesota. Loxia 
curvirostra minor. 521. 
12 



Birds Marked with Blue. 

White-winged Crossbill. L. 6. 

General color, red; wings black and white; 
mandibles crossed. Female, dusky green above, 
and yellowish below ; young like female. Breeds 
in the northern pine regions and in Canada; 

migrates southward in winter. Loxia leu- 
cop tera. 522. 

3. Birds Marked with Blue. 

Blue Jay, Bluebird, Indigo Bunting, King- 
fisher. 

Blue Jay. L. 11%. 

Our only common permanent resident in this 
group. Head with a conspicuous crest, black 
collar on the breast, wings and tail blue with 
bars and spots of white and black. Call, a loud 
screaming "jay jay jay." Has several notes 
and imitates calls of other birds. Its presence 
in midwinter, its crest and large size, distin- 
guish it easily from the Bluebird. Especially 
common in oak woods. A beautiful rogue. 
Nest on trees, twelve to twenty feet up. Cy- 
anocitta cristata. 477. 

Bluebird. L. 7. 

Much smaller than the preceding species, no 
crest. Only a little larger than the English 
Sparrow. Male, bright blue above, throat and 
breast rich brown. Female, dull blue above, 
paler below. Nest in stumps, posts or boxes. 
Fairly common S. R. Small flocks may be 
13 



Land Birds. 

seen in autumn. Call, turwee, turwee; song, a 
short, sweet warble. March n to Oct. 15. 
Sialia sialis. 766. 

Belted Kingfisher. L. 13. 

To the novice resembling the Blue Jay, but 
larger, with a more ruffled crest, a much longer 
bill and a shorter tail. Always perches near 
water, into which it plunges for small fish, 
which the Blue Jay never does. Bluish gray 
above, a bluish band on the white breast. 
Notes, a loud, sharp rattle. Nest in a hole in a 
bank five to six feet from the entrance. Com- 
mon S. R., April 14 to Sept. 16. Ceryle al- 
cyon. 390. 

Indigo Bunting. L. 5%. 

Smaller than a Bluebird. Male, a beautiful 
deep greenish blue, not sky-blue like the 
Bluebird. Bill short and stout. Female, dull 
brownish. A bird of brush and wood lands, 
Nest in brush near the ground. Song, a rapid, 
irregular warble. Fairly common S. R., quite 
common in favorite places. Cyanospiza cy- 
anea. 598. 

4. Birds Ma.rked with Yellow or 
Orange. 

1. Birds larger than an English Sparrow. 

Meadow Lark, Baltimore Oriole, Yellow- 
headed Blackbird, Cedar Waxwing, Evening 
Grosbeak, Arkansas Kingbird. 
14 



Birds Marked Yellow or Orange. 

Meadowlark. L. 10%. 

The songbird of open fields, pastures and 
prairies. A conspicuous black crescent on 
a yellow breast, displaying outer white tail- 
feather in Hight. Flies straight like a quail, 
hovers before it sits down. Song, a clear, me- 
tallic whistle, sounds like Spring of the year. 
Often sings from a post, stone or knoll. Nest 
on the ground. Abundant S. R., March 24 
to Oct. 2. Siumella magna. 501. 

Baltimore Oriole. Hangnest, Firebird, Gol- 
den Robin. L. 7%. 

General color of male, bright orange; head 
wings and part of tail black, some white on 
wings. Female olive-brown above, yellowish 
below. Nest, a hanging, neatly woven basket, 
near outer end of a limb, twenty to forty feet 
up inaccessible to bad boys and cats. It takes 
wings to reach it. Song a short musical whis- 
tle. May 12. Icterus galbula. 507. 

Yellow-headed Blackbird. L. 10. 

Male, unmistakably identified by its deep yel- 
low head and breast, general color, black, white 
spot on the wings. At home in rushes and reeds 
of sloughs and lakes, increases in numbers 
westward; more common in the Dakotas than 
in Minnesota. Female brownish. Nest in 
marshes, fixed to reeds, two to three feet 
above water. They feed mostly on dry land. 
Song, harsh, suggesting the crowing of a 

16 



Land Birds. 

young rooster. Common S. R., April 2. Xan- 
thocephalus xanthocephalus. 497. 

Cedar Waxwing. L. 7. 

General color of both sexes a soft brown, 
distinctly crested, yellowish below, a yellow 
band at end of tail. A rather elusive species, 
generally flying high near the tree tops. Nest 
in trees five to twenty feet up, built late in 
summer, generally in July. Fairly common P. 
R., more common in summer. Ampelis cedro- 
rum. 619. 

Arkansas Kingbird. L. 9. 

In southwestern Minnesota and the Dakotas. 
Has the habits of the common Kingbird, still 
more noisy, but its voice more pleasant. Breast 
and upper parts light gray, lemon yellow be- 
low, tail black, white edge on outer tail- 
feathers* Concealed red patch on crown. Com- 
mon S. R. in its range. Nest on bushes or 
trees, five to ten feet up. Tyrannus verticalis. 
447- 

Evening Grosbeak. L. 8. 

Seen only in win ter, generally in small flocks. 
Feeds principally on seeds of box-elder. Gen- 
eral color of adult male, dull yellow, crown 
and tail black, wings black, with large white 
patch. The only winter bird showing this con- 
spicuous combination of black, white and yel- 
low. Bill very stout. Females and young with- 
out clear yellow, rather brownish. Breeds in 

16 



Birds Marked Yellow or Orange. 

the British Northwest. Hasperiphona vesper- 
Una. 514. 

11. Birds Smaller than an English Spar- 
row or about the same size. 

Dickcissel. L. G 1 ^. 

Sparrow size. Conspicuous black mark on 
throat. Two yellow stripes on head, breast yel- 
low, shoulders brown, A bird of fields and 
roadsides. Song, dick dick, cis-cis-cis-cissle, 
uttered from a perch. Female dull, no black 
mark. Common S. R. in Wisconsin, more 
rare westward. Spiza americana. 604. 

Yellow Warbler. Wild Canary. L. 5. 

Male, bright yellow all over, darker above, 
below streaked with reddish brown. Female 
more dull above and paler below. Nest, neatly 
woven in forks of shrubs. Flits and feeds in 
low ibushes. Abundant S. R., May 12. Den- 
droica aestiva. 652. 

American Goldfinch. L. 5. 

General color of male, bright yellow; cap 
black; wings and tail, black, with white marks. 
Female olive brown, without pure yellow and 
white. Males in winter without yellow, like 
female, with buff bars on wings. Males often 
seen in small flocks in early summer. Nests 
built in August in crotches of bushes and 
small trees. Flight, wavy; call on wing, ke*r- 
chee-chee-chee; ker-chee-chee-chee ; when 

17 



Land Birds. 

perching, sweet, sweet Common P. R. As- 
tragalinus tristis. 529. 

Northern Yellowthroat. L. B^. 

The northwestern variety of the Maryland 
Yellowthroat. Male with a distinct black 
band over forehead and cheeks, throat and 
breast yellow, back olive-green. Female dull 
above, yellowish below, without black band on 
head. You will most likely hear the Yellow- 
throat before you see him. Song, witchity, 
zvitchity, witchity, with increasing accent. 
Common S. R., around copses and thickets, 
May 8. Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla. C8id. 

Redstart. L. 5%. 

A small active bird, one of the warblers, 
a little smaller than an English sparrow, of 
more slender build. Two patches on tail and 
band on wings of male, bright orange red, rest 
of ubper parts black, black band at end of 
tail. Female, yellowish where the male is 
orange, back brownish-olive. Apt to be most 
numerous during spring migration. M. and 
S. R., May 18. Setophaga raticilla. 687. 

5. Birds Marked with Reddish Brown. 

American Robin, Orchard Oriole, Towhee. 
American Robin. L. 10. 

Almost too well known to need descrip- 
tion. Slaty brown above, breast and belly 

18 



Birds Marked wtth Reddish Brown. 

rich rust-red, female paler. The variety in 
the western part of the Dakotas is the West- 
ern Robin. Nest in trees, plastered with 
mud; on the prairies, placed on the ground. 
Very abundant S. R. A few sometimes win- 
ter in southern Wisconsin and Minnesota- 
March ii to Oct. 15. Merula migratoria. 761. 

Orchard Oriole. L. 7%. 

Head, throat and upper part of adult male, 
black; lower parts rump and part of wings, 
rich chestnut red. Female, dusky green above, 
greenish yellow below. Second year male like 
female, but with black head. Nest, a neat bas- 
ket, not always hanging. A finer singer than 
the Baltimore Oriole, but much rarer in the 
Northwest. S. R. May 20. Icterus spurius. 
506. 

Towhee. Chewink, Joree. L. 8. 

Adult male, black, except for chestnut red 
sides and white belly, outer tail feathers 
marked with white. Female, brown. Call, 
towhee, or chewink. Song sweet deet towhee. 
A fairly common S- R. in thickets and woods, 
where it scratches amongst the leaves. Pipilo 
erythrophthalmus. 587. 

6. Birds of the Air. 

This includes the Chimney Swift, Humming- 
bird, the Swallows, Purple Martin, Night- 
hawk and Whippoorwill. All of them spend 
much time on the wing hunting for insects over 

19 



Land Birds. 

lakes, streams and fields, or high in the air. 
The Chimney Swift never perches, but Hum- 
mingbirds and Swallows, although generally 
seen on the wing, can use their feet for perch- 
ing. All are very useful birds. 

Chimney Swift. 5%. 

Always on the wing, cannot perch. Looks 
like a bow and arrow, short spines protrude 
from tail. Nests in chimneys, rests by slinging 
head up to wall of chimney. Late in summer 
hundreds or even thousands roost in school- 
house or court-house chimneys. Dusky black 
above, paler below, but looks black against 
the sky. Used to nest and roost in hollow 
trees. Can you tell why? Call, a nervous, 
chattering twitter. Very abundant S. R., May 
10 to Sept. 10. Chaetura pelagicct. 423. 

Ruby-throated Hummingbird. L. 3%. 

Our well known hummer that searches flow- 
ers for honey and small insects. Adult males 
only with ruby throat. The only humming- 
bird found from the Dakotas eastward. A 
large sphinx moth is sometimes mistaken for 
a white hummingbird. Our smallest bird. 
Common S. R., May 15 to October. Trochil- 
us colubris. 428. 

Barn Swallow. L. 7%. 

Known to every country boy by the nest 
placed under beams in barns and other build- 
ings. Nest resembling *4 °f a hollow sphere. 
20 



Birds of the Air. 

Tail, deeply forked. Male, steel blue above, 
forehead and throat, rich brown. Female, 
smaller, tail less deeply forked. Abundant S. 
R. May i. Hirundo erythrogastra. 613. 

.Bank Swallow. L. 5%. 

Easily identified by nest, which is always 
in a hole in a bank, generally in colonies and 
near water. Brownish gray above, white be- 
low, dark band across the white breast. Our 
smallest swallow. Abundant S. R., where it 
finds suitable nesting places. April 18. Ri- 
paria rip aria. 616. 

Cliff Swallow. L. 5%. 

Absolutely identified by the gourd-shaped 
nests of muds placed in rows under the eaves 
of buildings, never inside. Used to nest under 
cliffs. Returns to the same building for years. 
Tail, brownish above, not forked. Local S. 
R. May 18. Petrochelidon lunifrons. 612. 

Tree Swallow. White Bellied Swallow, tu $. 

Adults, greenish blue above, shining white 
below. Often nests in boxes and other places 
frequented by the Martens and is sometimes 
mistaken for it. Tail not deeply forked. Nest 
in hollow trees or boxes. Common S. R. 
Iridoprocne bicolor. 614. 

Purple Martin. L. 7%. 

Larger than any of the preceding. Adult 
male, shining bluish black all over. Female, 

21 



Land Birds. 

both deeply forked. Nest in boxes or houses. 
Fairly common S. R. where nesting boxes are 
provided. April i. Progne subis. 611. 

Nighthawk. Bull-bat. L. 10. 

No hawk at all, but resembles a hawk in 
coloring. Flies about after insects evenings 
and mornings, but I have seen them also on 
moonlight nights. Shows a white patch under 
the wing. Call, a sharp nasal paint. Often 
makes a whirring or booming sound with its 
wings. Nest on the ground or roofs of large 
city buildings. Above black, mottled and 
marked with whitish and brownish, not easily 
seen on the ground. Very common S. R., 
May 12 to Sept. 18. Chordeiles virginianus. 
420. 

Whippoorwill. L. 9%. 

Much more frequently heard than seen. Calls 
its name, whip-poor-will, repeated many times, 
Once I heard it 162 times in succession with 
but very short pauses. Feeds and calls only 
between sunset and sunrise. Feeds on low- 
flying insects, lives in bushy fields and thickets, 
generally near water. Nest on the ground. 
Upper parts streaked and mottled with black, 
whitish and brown, difficult to see on the 
more dull with some whitish below. Tail of 
ground. Whippoorwill and Nighthawk are 
different birds. S. R., May 3. Antrostomus 
vociferus. 417. 

22 



Colored Black or Black and White. 

7. Birds Chiefly Colored Black or 
Black and White. 

All larger, some very much larger than an 
English Sparrow, American Crow, Bronzed 
Grackle, Brewer Blackbird, Cowbird, Bobo- 
link, Lark Bunting. 

American Crow. L. 19. 

Known by its large size and loud cazv, caw. 
All black. Often gathers in flocks in fall. 
Nest bulky, in trees. March to November. 
Corvus amer 'nanus. 488. 

Bronzed Grackle. Crow Blackbird. L. 12- 

i3y 2 . 

All black, head and neck shining with 
purple, bluish, or greenish. Larger than other 
Blackbirds, but smaller than a Craw. Female 
more dull than male. Often comes into towns 
and feeds a good deal on the ground. Nest 
of mud, preferably on evergreens. Common 
S. R., April to October. Quiscalus quiscala 
aeneus. 511b. 

Brewer Blackbird. L. 10. 

A common dooryard Blackbird of the West, 
from Western Minnesota westward. I found 
it very numerous in the Bad Lands on the 
Little Missouri. Smaller than the Purple 
Grackle. All black. Back glossy, greenish or 
bluish; head and neck purplish. Head and 

23 



Land Birds. 

neck of female brownish gray. Nest in low 
trees or bushes. Common S. R. Scolecoph* 
agus cyanocephalus. 510. 

Cowbird. L. 8, 

Commonly seen in pastures near cattle, but 
also in woods. Male, black, with glossy cof- 
fee brown head and neck. Female, brownish, 
Builds no nest, but lays its eggs into nests of 
other birds, often into those of smaller birds 
as the warblers and native sparrows, which 
generally hatch and feed the young cowbirds. 
Common S. R., April 20. Molothrus ater. 495. 

Bobolink. Reedbird, Ricebird. L. 7%. 

A bird of damp meadows. Utters a bubbU 
ing, frolicksome song on the wing, or from a 
weed or low bush. Male black, nape pale 
brown; part of wings and Icfwer back, pure 
white. Female, brownish and streaked. In 
autumn all bobolinks become brownish and 
streaked. Abundant S. R., May 17 to Sept. 3. 
Dolichonyx oryzivorus. 494. 

Lark Bunting. White-winged Blackbird. L. 

A western bird. Common S. R., from south- 
western Minnesota: westward. Male, all black, 
except pure white patch on the wings. Female 
grayish brown and streaked. Often sings on 
the wing like the Bobolink. I found them 
common at Pipestone, Minn. Calamospiza 
melanocorys. 605. 

24 



Birds Chiefly Dull Colored. 

8. Birds Chiefly Dull Colored. 

Not distinctly black, but some almost so. 

Kingbird. L. 8%. 

Perches on wires, posts and bushes, and 
darts at flying insects. Fights all other birds 
coming near him, especially hawks and crows. 
Dusky black above, whitish below, broad band 
of whitish at tip of tail.. Spreads its tail like 
a fan when it alights. Nest on bushes and 
low trees. Abundant S. R. through the whole 
northwest. Appears wherever trees grow or 
are planted in the Dakotas. May iy to Sept. 5. 
Tyr annus tyr annus. 444. 

Phoebe. L. 7. 

Best identified by its nest, which is made of 
moss and mud and lined with grass and hairs, 
and placed on a beam or projection, under a 
bridge or cliff. Eggs generally white. Adults, 
dusky olive above, darkest on head and tail, 
whitish below, bill and feet black; quite tame. 
Droops and jerks its tail, flies at passing in- 
sects from a perch. Call Phoebe. Very com- 
mon S. R. about buildings, bridges and cliffs, 
often near water, returning for years to the 
same nesting place. March 3 to Oct. 4. Sy- 
ornis phoebe. 456. 



25 



Birds Chiefly Dull Colored. 

Wood Pewee. L. 6%. 

In woodlands. Generally heard before it is 
seen. Call, a plaintive, slowly repeated pee-o- 
wee. Dark olive brown above, darkest on 
head, tail and wings ; two dull white wing bars ; 
lower parts whitish. Nest saddled on a limb, 
twenty to forty feet up. Very common S. R. 
May 1 6. C onto pus virens. 461. 

Warbling Vireo. L. 5%. 

In trees of streets, parks and woods, gener- 
ally feeding and singing in upper branches. 
Heard from early summer until August, but 
difficult to see. Song, a continuous sweet war- 
ble, rather low in pitch. Mouse-gray above; 
white below, tinged with yellowish. Nest w r ell 
woven, hanging from a forked branch ten to 
forty feet up. Very common S. R., May 16 
to Aug. 9. Vireo gilvus. 627. 

Red-eyed Vireo. L. 6%. 

Glides about in woods, sings as it feeds in 
the foliage overhead, more easily heard than 
seen. Song, loud and broken : You see it — 
you know it — do you hear met — do you be- 
lieve it? Olive-green above, whitish below; 
crown, slaty; a white line over the eye, and a 
dark line above the white line. Nest well 
woven, hanging from forked branch, five to 
forty feet up. Very abundant S. R. Vireo 
olivaceus. 624. 

26 



Chiefly Colored Slate or Gray. 

Note: The Kingbird, Arkansas Kingbird, 
Phoebe, and Wood Pewee are Flycatchers that 
watch from a perch for passing insects. They 
can raise their crown feathers, which makes 
them look rather big-headed. The Vireos 
search for insects in the foliage and branches 
of trees. Several other Flycatchers and Vi- 
reos are found in this region, but their identi- 
fication is rather difficult for beginners. 



9. Birds Chiefly Colored Slate or Gr*y, 
with some White or Black. 

i. Much larger than an English Sparrow, 
Catbird, Canada Jay, Northern Shrike, Logger- 
head Shrike. 

Catbird. L. 9. 

General color, a slate gray, bill, cap and 
tail black, a rust-brown spot below the root 
of the tail. A rather slim bird, lives in bushes 
and shrubbery. Often mews like a cat, but also 
a iine singer. Sometimes sings at night. Nest 
in thick bushes or tangle of vines, eggs green- 
ish blue. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. 704. 

Canada Jay. L. 11%. 

General color, gray, throat and forehead, 
whitish, forehead lightest and quite conspicu- 
ous. Found only in the northern pine forests 
from Nova Scotia to northern Minnesota. The 

27 



Land Birds. 

most common bird about camps of hunters 
and lumbermen in northern woods. Known as 
Whiskey Jack, Whiskey John, Camp Robber, 
Moosebird, Meatbird. Very bold and thievish. 
Nest in trees, built very early before the snow 
is gone. Permanent resident. Perisoreus can- 
adensis. 484. 

Northern Shrike. L. lO 1 ^. 

Bluish gray above, tail and wings black, with 
some white, black mark behind the eye, white 
below with wavy dark bars. Bill large and 
hooked. Whole plumage a conspicuous com- 
bination of gray, black and white.. Winter 
visitant, sometimes feeds on English Spar- 
rows. All Shrikes have the habit of fasten- 
ing insects, mice and small birds on thorns 
and barbs. Breeds north of the United States. 
Lanius borealis. 621. 

Loggerhead Shrike. Butcherbird. L. 9. 

General colors like its northern relative, no 
bars below, a little smaller. Habits of the 
Northern Shrike. Rather rare S. R. April 11. 
Lanius ludovicianus. 622. 

11. Birds smaller than an English Sparrow 
or about the same size. 

Black-capped Chickadee. L. 5%. 

A little, grayish bird, with black cap and 
throat, and whitish cheeks. Always busy, 
searching for food on trees and bushes. Calls 

28 



Chiefly Colored Brown or Streaked. 

its name: Chickadee-dee. Common S. R., 
but more frequently seen in winter than in 
summer. Parus atricapilhts. 735. 

Slate-colored Junco. L. 6%. 

A very abundant winter visitant in fields, 
woods and towns. Upper parts dark slate, 
head and throat almost black, belly white. Out- 
er tail-feathers white, showing well in flight, 
bill whitish. October to April. Junco hye 
mails. 567. 

10. Birds Chiefly Colored Brown or 
Streaked. 

1. Birds larger than an English Sparrow, 
some as large as a Robin or larger. Includ- 
ing here: The Mourning Dove, Brown 
Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Black-billed Cuckoo, 
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Fox Sparrow, Prairie 
Horned Lark, Snow Flake. 

Mourning Dove. L. Hj^. 

Soft brown above, paler below. A black spot 
on the sides of the head and a few black 
spots on back and wings. Female paler. Often 
feeds along roadside, takes flight with rapid, 
strong zving beats like a pigeon, walks like a 
pigeon, and its general shape is that of a 
dwarf pigeon. Call, a soft coo-coo, coo-coo, 
uttered slowly, often heard in early summer. 
Nest very flimsy, only a few sticks, generally 

29 



Land Birds. 

on horizontal brancE ten to twenty feet up. 
Common S. R. Zanaidura mac r our a. 316. 

Brown Thrasher. L. 11%. 

Known by its distinct brown above, very 
long tail, large size, and long bill. Below 
white, heavily streaked with blackish. Wags 
or thrashes its tail. Song, musical and spir- 
ited, generally uttered from a high perch. Nest, 
bulky, in bushes on or near the ground. Fre- 
quents groves, parks and woodlots. Com- 
mon S. R. Toxostoma rufum. 705. 

Wood Thrush. L. 8. 

In woods. Upper part rich rusty brown, 
brightest on the head. Lower parts white. 
Marked with wedge-shaped black spots. A 
fine singer. Nest partly of mud, well built on 
limb or in crotch, six to fifteen feet high. 
Common S. R., May 4 to Sept. 13. Hylocichla 
must e Una. 755. 

Black-billed Cuckoo. Rain Crow. L. 11%. 

Its call, a soft cow-cow-cow-cow, uttered 
and repeated quite rapidly, is more often heard 
than the bird is seen. A long-tailed bird, 
glides rather low and stealthily through 
bushes and thickets. Grayish brown above 
with a greenish tint. White below, very little 
white on tail, bill entirely black. S. R., May 
15 to Sept. 7. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. 388. 

30 



Chiefly Colored Brown or Streaked. 
Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Rain Crow. L. 12%. 

Like the preceding, but outer tail-feathers 
broadly tipped with white, lower mandible 
yellow, wings show more brown in flight. Call 
similar to preceding, but more harsh and 
broken. Habits and habitat the same. Nest 
of both species built of sticks, on low trees 
on in thick bushes. S. R. Coccyzus ameri- 
canus. 387. 

Fox Sparrow. L. 7%. 

Our largest and most conspicuous sparrow, 
seen only as migrant here, especially in spring 
when it scratches like a hen amongst the 
leaves in low, damp thickets. Fox-red above, 
tail brightest; lower parts whitish, heavily 
streaked with brown and blackish. Breeds 
north of the United States. Passerella iliaca. 
585. 

Prairie Horned Lark. L. 7%. 

Always found in open Helds. Only a little 
larger than an English Sparrow. Black patch 
on cheek, black crescent on breast, back 
brownish. Two thin tufts on head, not al- 
ways distinctly seen. Utters the first bird 
song of the seascrn from knolls and stones in 
February, when show still covers the ground. 
Sometimes sings in the air like the European 
Skylark. Abundant S. R., sometimes P. R., 
always returns very early. Otoe oris alpestiris 
praticola. 474b. 

31 



Land Birds. 

Snowflake. Snowbird. L. 7. 

Upper parts brown, very distinctly so on the 
crown, back streaked with black. Tail white 
on the sides, black in the middle. Wings 
mostly white. Lower side of body and wings 
white, showing conspicuously in ■flight. Very 
common winter visitant, seen in flocks in open 
fields, feeding on small seeds, often comes to 
barnyards, when the fields are entirely covered 
with snow. Breeds north of the United States. 
Oct. 20 to March. Passerina nivalis. 534. 

II. Birds About the Size of an English 
Sparrow or Smaller. 

House Wren. L. 4%. 

Brown above, finely barred with dusky, bill 
rather long, awl-shaped. Nests in holes, boxes 
and crevices. Sings with great energy, its 
head raised, tail drooped and whole little body 
trembling. A very common S. R. about farm 
yards, frequently enters barns and sheds. Will 
nest in an old boot, a jug or a gourd, if put 
upon a pole. A hole the size ot a. nickel is 
just right for it. May 2 to Sept. 18. Tro- 
glodytes aedon. 721. 

Short-billed Marsh Wren. L. 4. 

A little mouse-like bird in movements and 
habits. Hides in the long grass and reeds of 
iswamps and marshes, is much more often 
heard than seen. Difficult to flush. Its song 



Chiefly Colored Brown or Streaked. 

sounds as if the singer had its bill filled with 
fine pebbles and water, and the pebbles were 
vigorously rubbed together, often sings at 
night Brownish above, streaked with whit- 
ish, black and buff, tail and wings barred, be- 
low white. Nest globular, roofed, entrance 
on one side, made of grasses, on or near 
ground. Abundant S. R. in northwestern 
sloughs and marshes. Cistothorus stellaris 
724. 

Long-billed Marsh Wren. L. 5%. 

Larger than preceding species, bill longer 
and awl-shaped, brown, very dark on head 
and tail, white line over the eye. Inhabits 
rushes and cat-tails of lakes, sometimes in- 
spects' boats of duck hunters. Have seen one 
take a sun bath on my boat and another 
perched on my gun and peeped inquisitively 
into the muzzle. Nest similar to preceding, of 
coarse grass, fixed to reeds. Common R. S< 
Telmatodytes palustris. 725. 

Sparrows or Sparrow-like Birds. All are 
small and inconspicuous, mostly living in 
fields and bushes. Bill rather stout and cone- 
shaped, feed principally on seeds. All ex- 
cept the English Sparrow are natives to this 
country and very useful birds. 

English Sparrow. L. 6^4. 

Our most common bird, seen winter and 
summer on city streets and farms*. Brownish 

33 



Land Birds. 

above, streaked, male with conspicuous black 
mark on throat and breast Often picks grain 
from horse droppings, feed with chickens, eats 
kitchen scraps and anything eatable. Often 
enters large barns. Very noisy and pugilistic. 
Notes, harsh and discordant chirps. Nest in 
any convenient place about buildings, also on 
trees; bulky, of all kinds of material. P. R. 
Introduced from Europe. Often annoys our 
native birds. Passer domesticus. 

Chipping Sparrow. L. 5%. 

Common in woods and about dooryards 
where it finds bushes and vines. Nest a thin, 
neat basket of fine grass, nearly always lined 
with horse hair, on trees, bushes or vines. 
Quite tame and confiding. Chestnut brown 
cap, whitish line over eye, breast plain ashy, 
bill black. Call, chip, sings a clear, unmusical 
trill, chippy, chippy, chippy, rapidly repeated. 
Abundant S. R. Spizella socialis. 560. 

Vesper Sparrow. L. 6. 

A very common bird of roadsides and open 
fields. Has the habit of running along the 
road before teams and pedestrians and flying 
a short distance ahead, shows two white tail- 
feathers in Hight* Brownish and streaked 
above, whitish below, sides streaked. Song, 
loud and clear, generally from a high perch. 
Nest on the ground. April 12 to Nov. 1. 
Pooecetes gramineus. 540. 



Chiefly Colored Brown or Streaked. 

Song Sparrow. L. 6. 

At home near bushes and copses. Above 
reddish brown with dark streaks. Below, 
whitish with black streaks, which form a dark 
spot in the middle of the breast. Song, plain 
but sweet and musical, beginning with, oleet, 
oleet, oleet. Nest on the ground or in bushes. 
Common S. R. Melospiza cinerea melodia. 
581. 

Grasshopper Sparrow. L. 5^. 

Best identified by its song, which is only 
a feeble insect-like chirp, chip-up zee-e-e-e 
-e-e, uttered while the plain, grayish brown 
bird points its bill upward. Crowi nearly- 
black with a buff central stripe. Common S. 
R v May 6. Cohirniculus savannarum pas- 
serinus. 546. 

Tree Sparrow. L. 6%. 

A common winter visitant from late au- 
tumn to March 20, breeds north of the United 
States. Often flocks with the Juncoes, a black 
spot in the center of ashy breast. Cap reddish 
brown, two whittish zving bars, back streaked. 
Spizella monticola. 559. 

There are many other Sparrows found in 
the Northwest, but they are difficult for be- 
ginners and too numerous for this booklet. 



35 



Land Birds. 

11. Quad!, Prairie Chickens e^nd 
Grouse. 

The color of all these birds blends so well 
with their surroundings that they are sel- 
dom seen before they fly. All nest on the 
ground. 

Bob-whits. Quail. L. 10. 

Male calls it name : Bob-White. Line over 
eye and throat white, black crescent on breast. 
Female more dull. These confiding little 
chicks of woodlots and fields ought not to be 
hunted at all. If fed during severe winter 
weather they will become very tame and re- 
turn to the farmyard after the breeding sea- 
son. Common P. R., wherever there is some 
scattered timber. Not on the open plains nor 
in pine forests. Colinus virginianus. 289. 

Prairie Hen. Prairie Chicken. L. 18. 

Almost too well known to need description. 
General color brownish, much barred; below 
whitish and barred. Male with prominent 
neck tufts. Males make a loud booming 
sound in spring. P. R. in the prairie section 
of Minnesota and eastern Dakotas. Tympan- 
uchus americanus. 305. 

Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse. L. 15-18. 

A more western species. Paler than th« 
preceding and without neck tufts. Frequently 

36 



Quail, Prairie Chickens and Grouse. 

uttering a loud cack-cack-cack, when flushed. 
P. R., generally flushed near some bushes. 
Pedioeceles phasianellus campestris. 308b. 

Sage Grouse. L. male 26-30. Female 21-23. 

The largest of our grouse, only found in the 
dry sage brush country of the west. Occurs 
in western North and South Dakota. Upper 
parts gray or buff, much spotted and varie- 
gated. Centrocercus tiro phasi anus. 309. 

Ruffed Grouse, Partridge, Pheasant. L. 17. 
The wild chicken of our woods. Male with 
large, black neck tufts, a ismall crest on the 
head, tail with a broad, dark band near the 
end. General color brownish, but much var- 
iegated and blending with dead leaves. Neck 
tufts of female very small. In spring the 
males make a loud drumming noise with their 
wings. A common P. R. in woodlands of 
Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ontario. Bonosa 
umbellus. 300. 

Canada Grouse. Spruce Hen, Pool Hen. L. 
15. 

Inhabits our northern coniferous forests and 
feeds largely on the leaves and buds of 
spruce and tamarack. Generally very tame. 
Quite dark above, barred with black and gray- 
ish, tail black, with broad brozvn band near 
end. Black on throat and breast. Canachites 
c and en sis canaces. 298c. 
37 



Land Birds. 

12. Eagles, Hawks and Owls. 

Known by their strong hooked bill and 
curved talons. Most of the hawks and owls 
are very useful, feeding principally on insects, 
mice, gophers and rabbits. None should be 
killed unless actually seen to do harm. 

Sparrow Hawk. L. 10. 

Our smallest and most common hawk, gen- 
erally flies swift and low. Back brown with 
dark bars, crown, bluish slate, two conspicu- 
ous dark marks on cheek. Call, a sharp 
killy, killy, killy, uttered rapidly. S. R., March 
26 to Sept. 27. Palco sparverius. 360. 

Marsh Hawk. Harrier. L. male 19; female, 
22. 

A medium-sized hawk, Hying low over 
marshes and fields. Not seen in woods. Best 
identified by its conspicuous white rump. Gen- 
eral color from grayish to brown, much bar- 
red and streaked. Feeds principally on insects, 
mice and gophers. Nest on ground in or near 
marshes. S. R., March 23 to Nov. 10. Circus 
hudsonius. 331. 

Red-tailed Hawk. L. male, 20; female, 23. 

Tail, rusty brown with black band near the 
end and a white tip. Upper parts brown, low- 
er parts whitish, streaked with brown. Often 

38 



Eagles, Hawks and Owls. 

soars in mid-air, especially in early spring, 
when they migrate northward. Feeds prin- 
cipally on mice and other small mammals. 
Call, a drawn-out scream. Nest on trees, 
thirty to seventy feet up. S. R. Buteo bore- 
alts. 337. 

Swainson Hawk. L. male, 20; female, 22. 

The most common hawk on the prairies of 
the Dakotas, but also found eastward. Throat 
and belly white, broad brown band across the 
breast. Feeds almost exclusively on gophers 
and mice. Nest on trees or on the ground. 
Common S. R. Buteo swains oni. 342. 

Bald Eagle, L. male, 33; female, 35. 

A rather rare resident and occasional visitor 
and straggler. Saw one near Jamestown, N. 
D., where gophers were abundant. The bird 
of our country. Often seen in menageries and 
parks. Easily known by its large size, white 
head and neck, and yellow beak. Lower part 
of legs not feathered. The young look much 
like Golden Eagles. Both the Bald and the 
Golden Eagle have an expanse of wing from 
seven to eight feet. Nest on trees or cliffs. 
Haliaeetus leucocephalus. 352. 

Golden Eagle. L. male, 30-35; female, 35-40. 

An occasional visitor and straggler, some- 
times seen captive in parks and menageries. 

39 



Land Birds. 

Legs entirely feathered.. Dark brown all over, 
darkest on wings and tail, young with some 
white. Nest on trees or cliffs-. Aquila chry- 
saetos. 349. 

American Osprey. Fish Hawk. L. 23. 

Almost black above, white below, female 
spotted and streaked below. Plunges into 
water for iish, which are its exclusive diet. 
Call, a high whistle. Nest on trees. S. R., 
near favorite lakes. Pandion haliaetus caro- 
linensis. 364. 

Great Horned Owl. L. 22. 

The giant amongst our resident owls, ear 
tufts large. Upper part mottled with dusky 
and brown, a white patch on the throat, legs 
and feet heavily feathered. Very seldom seen 
in the daytime. Call, a loud hoot, whoo, 
whoo, whoo. Nest in trees. Often on old 
nest of other large birds. P. R. Bubo virgin- 
tonus. 375. 

Screec'h Owl. L. 9%. 

Our most common small owl, eyes yellow, 
ear tufts distinct. Some are gray above and 
others rusty brown, all are variously marked 
and streaked. Nest in hollow trees; call, a 
tremulous whistle. Feeds on mice and in- 
sects and is a most useful bird. Megacops 
asio. 373. 



40 



Eagles, Hawks and Owls. 
Short-eared Owl. L. 15%. 

One of the most common owls on the 
northwestern prairies ; Hies low over the 
ground looking for gophers and mice, often 
hunts on cloudy days, hides in the grass 
when not hunting. Never lives in the woods, 
but always in the open, especially in and near 
marshes. Ear-tufts very small, hardly no- 
ticeable, wings very long, making the bird look 
very large in -flight. General color, yellowish 
brown, barred and streaked. Eyes yellow, with 
black ring and white eye-brows. Rather 
tame. Nest on ground. S. R. Asio accipi- 
trinus. 367. 

Burrowing Owl. L. 9-11. 

A western bird, from western Minnesota 
westward. Nests and lives in holes of bad- 
gers and prairie dogs. Looks but little like 
an owl and is often seen in daytime. Upper 
parts earth colored with whitish bars and spots, 
lower parts whitish, barred with brown. Legs 
rather long, feet bare. Speotyto cunicularia 
hypo gala. 378. 

Snowy Owl. L. 25. 

A conspicuous winter visitant, more or less 
common in cold winters. General color white, 
more or less barred with dusky, no ear-tufts. 
Females with more black than males. Breeds 

north of the United States. Nyctea nyctea. 
376. 

41 



SECTION II. 

WATER BIRDS AND SHORE 
BIRDS. 



A. WADERS AND SHORE BIRDS. 

Some of these like the American Bittern, 
the Black-crowned Night Heron and the Great 
Blue Heron are large birds, others, as the Kil- 
deer and the Sandpipers, are small, but all 
have comparatively long legs. Their feet are 
not webbed and those described here do not 
swim. 

I. Large Waders. 

Great Blue Heron. L. 42-50. 

Our largest common wader, locally called 
Blue Crane. Bluish gray above, head white, 
with black stripes and crest. Legs dusky, bill 
yellowish. Often seen standing still and wait- 
ing for fish in shallow water. Nest in trees, 
generally in colonies. Fairly common S. R. 
April 6. Ardea heriodias. 194. 

42 



Large Waders. 
Black-crowned Night Heron. L. 24. 

Also called Shide-poke and Squawk. Crown 
and back greenish black, neck and lower parts 
pure white. Young, grayish brown and 
streaked. Generally seen or heard towards 
evening; call, squawk. Nest in colonies, gener- 
ally in trees, sometimes on the ground. Often 
seen at White Bear and Minnetonka. Com- 
mon S. R., April 12 to Oct. 25. Nycticorax 
nycticorax naevius. 202. 

Little Green Heron. L. 17. 

Back, dark greenish; throat and part of neck, 
brownish. Common along wooded streams 
and lakes, generally flies but a short distance 
when flushed. Nest low on bushes or trees, 
not in colonies. Common S. R. Butorides 
virescens. 201. 

American Bittern. L. 28. 

This bird produces the pumping, thumping 
noise heard about marshes in spring. Called 
also Stake-driver and Thunder-pumper. Gen- 
eral color, brown ; irregularly streaked and mot- 
tled. When the bird raises its head and 
stands still, he resembles a bunch of dead 
rushes. Two black streaks on the neck, legs 
greenish, wings and tail short, flies awkward- 
ly. Nest on the ground. Common S. R., May 
3 to about Nov. 15. Botaurus lentiginosis. 
190. 

43 



Water Birds and Shore Birds, 

2. Smaller Waders and Shore Birds. 

Killdeer. L. 10^. 

Calls his name, a loud killdee, killdee kill- 
dee. Two black bands on white breast, rump 
brown. Lower parts white, upper parts dull 
olive-brown. Often seen and heard on dry 
fields. Nest on the ground. Abundant S. R. 
Oxyechus vociferus. 273. 

Spotted Sandpiper. L. 7%. 

Upper parts brownish; lower parts white, 
much spotted with black. Everywhere near 
rivers and ponds. Known by its teetering 
gait and shrill call of peet weei. Goes through 
rapid tipping motions, when it alights. Called 
also Tip-up and Teeter-tail. Common S. R. 
A otitis macularia. 263. 

Least Sandpiper. L. 6. 

The smallest of our shore birds. Upper parts 
dusky, spotted with brownish, breast gray, 
rest of lower parts white. Common migrant 
in spring and fall. Breeds farther north. 
Actodromas minutilla. 242. 

Greater-yellow-legs. L. 14. 

Legs yellow, no brown on bird, above nearly 
black, marked with whitish, below white with 
black markings. Feeds on mudilats and in 
very shallow water. Common on our lakes in 
autumn. S. R., and M. Totanus melano- 
leucus. 254. 

44 



Water Birds and Shore Birds. 

Yellow-legs. L. 10%. 

Very similar to the preceding, but consid- 
erably smaller. Breeds arther north. Com- 
mon migrant, especially in fall. Totanus flavi 
pes. 255. 

Bartramian Sandpiper. Upland Plover. L.. 
11%. 

Tail rather long, rump black, upper parts 
dusky and streaked, chin and belly white. Com- 
mon S. R. on dry uplands in the Dakotas. 
Song, a long ringing whistle, sometimes heard 
at night. Butramia longicauda. 261. 

Wilson Snipe. Jack Snipe. L. 11^. 

Crown buff and striped, back dusky and 
striped, belly white. Call, kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk- 
kuk, uttered as the birds take wing. S. R. 
and migrant on the plains of the Dakotas and 
eastward. Very bold in defense of its young. 
Gallinago delicata. 230. 

Virginia Rail. L. 9%. 

Common in all large marshes. Often heard 
but seldom seen- Difficult to flush. Makes a 
peculiar grunting noise. Male often cries, 
cut, cutta-cutta-cutta, often heard after sun- 
set. Black above, throat white. Flight weak 
with dangling legs. Rallus virginianus. 212. 

45 



Water Birds and Shore Birds. 

Carolina Rail. Sora. L. 8%. 

Skulks in the rushes like the preceding. 
Forehead and throat black, upper parts brown 
with black spots and fine whitish lines. Call, 
kerzvee, and a penetrating whinney, often ut- 
tered at night. This and the preceding are 
locally called mud-chicks. Common S. R. Oc- 
casionally strays into towns in autumn. I 
found one on Adams street in Chicago on 
Sept. 3. Porzam Carolina. 214. 

Arrserican Woodcock. L. 11. 

Bill very long, eyes large, tail short. Flies 
with a noisy whirr like a quail. Above a 
mixed and mottled brown, black and slate. 
Below brown, without bars. Nest on ground 
in woods. Rather rare S. R. and M. in damp 
woods. PhiJohela minor. 228. 



4G 



Coots, Grebes and Loons. 

B. BIRDS THAT SWIM AND DIVE. 

I. Coots, Grebes and Loons. 

American Coot. Mudhen. L. 15. 

The most common and numerous szvimmer 
on shallow northwestern lakes. I have seen 
10,000 of them from one point. Makes a bob- 
bing motion with its head, when swimming. 
Spatters low over the water with feet and 
wings when disturbed. Feet lobed, not web- 
bed. General color dark slate, head and neck 
black, bill whitish. Shows some white on the 
wings when flying. Has a roundish bill like a 
chicken and looks like a black chicken that 
has taken to an aquatic life. Fulica ameri- 
cana. 221. 
Pied-billed Grebe. Hell-diver, Dabchick. L. 

131/2. 

In spite of all books this expert diver will 
always be plain Hell-Diver to the boys. You 
will find him on lakes, sloughs and ditches. If 
he is disturbed he dives like a stone and you 
may not see him again, as he swims away 
under the water or with just the tip of his 
bill out. Not seen in large flocks but in pairs 
or families. General color brownish black, 
throat and a band on bill, black; belly white, 
tail very short. Nest, a mass of water-soaked 
reeds and rushes. Very common S. R., April 
7 to Oct. 20. Podilymbus podiceps. 6. 
47 



Water Birds and Shore Birds. 

Loon. L. 32. 

Our largest diver. Seen only on fairly deep 
and open water where he dives for fish. Oft- 
en seen on lakes near towns in early spring. 
Shining black above, with numerous white 
spots and bars, white streaks on throat and 
neck, visible from some distance, belly pure 
white. Will seldom fly if disturbed, but dive. 
Call, a weird, loud laughter, who-who-who- 
zvho, most often uttered on the wing. Eggs 
laid on ground near water. S. R v April 10 to 

Nov. 3. Gavia imber. 7. 

Note — Coots, Grebes and Loons are often 
shot at by foolish gunners, no sane person 
ishould molest these innocent birds that enliven 
our lakes. 

2. Terns, Gulls and Cormorants. 

Black Tern. L. 10. 

Wings and tail slate-colored, head and low- 
er parts black, bill black. This is the dark bird 
so often seen slowly skimming over lakes, 
meadows and -fields. In flight the bill is al- 
ways pointed downward. Often follows the 
plowman, picks up lost bait near boats. Nest, 
on floating rushes, etc., or on the ground. 
Abundant S. R., through Northwest. April 
15 to Nov. to. Hydrochelidon nigra surin- 
amensis. yy. 

48 



Terns, Gulls and Cormorants. 

Bonaparte Gull. L. 14. 

Head and bill black. Neck and lower parts 
white. Back and wings pearl-gray. Wings 
tipped with black. Common M. Larus phil- 
adelpica. 60. 

Franklin Gull. L. 15. 

A beautiful gull, especially numerous on the 
lakes and plains of North Dakota. Head 'black, 
neck white, back slaty; lower parts white, tint- 
ed with rose, bill and feet red. Often seen on 
plowed fields and near lakes anH sloughs. 
Nest, on bent-down rushes. S. R. Larus 
franklini. 59. 

Herring Gull. L. 24. 

This is the large gull common on Lake Su- 
perior and the other Great Lakes in summer. 
Often seen in flocks resting on the water or 
rocks or lumber rafts, or on the wing. 
Head, neck and low?r parts of adults 
white, back pearl gray, end of wings black, 
bill yellow. Young, brownish gray, head and 
neck streaked, back mottled, generally seen 
with the adults. S. R. April 11. Common W. 
V. near Milwaukee and Chicago. Larus ar- 
gent atus. 51. 

Double-crested Cormorant. L. 30. 

A large black swimmer and expert fisher. 
Seen on our lakes in spring and autumn, a 
summer resident on Crane Island, Lake Min- 

49 



Water Birds and Shore Birds. 

netonka. Back brownish black, neck and low- 
er pcnrts metallic greenish black, throat pouch 
yellow. Two narrow crests in breeding plum- 
age. Bill, long and hooked. Young, brownish. 
S. R. April i. Phalacrocorax dilophns. 120. 

3. Ducks and Geese. 

Many species of wild ducks breed on our 
lakes. While the novice will find it difficult 
to identify them on the water or on the wing, 
anyone can in fall secure specimens from hun- 
ters. Before the hunting season, ducks are 
not so very wild and may well be observed in 
their haunts. In many instances the plumage 
of the adult male is more richly colored than 
that of the female and the young. Geese are 
principally seen during the fall and spring mi- 
gration and are readily identified on the wing. 

Blue-winged Teal. L. 16. 

Our most abundant small duck. A white 
crescent before the eye, wings bright blue at 
base and with a green spot. Females and 
young less brightly colored. Nest on ground. 
Abundant S. R. and M. Querquedula discors. 
140. 

Mallard. L. 23. 

Head of male green, wing patch purple; 
white ring around neck, breast rich brown. 
Female more dull. Our best known large 
duck. S. R. and M. Anas boschas. 132. 

50 



Ducks and Geese. 

Pintail. L. male, 28; female, 22. 

A large, long-necked duck. Central tail- 
feathers elongated and forming a pin-shaped 
tail. Wing-patch purple, bordered by brown 
above and white below. Female without wing- 
patch. S. R. and M. Daiila acuta. 143. 



Redhead. L. 19. 

Head and upper neck of male reddish brown, 
breast black, upper parts finely barred, . belly 
white. S. R. and M. Ay thy a americana. 146. 

Ganvasback. 

Head and whole neck of male reddish- 
brown, breast black, upper parts finely barred, 
belly white. The bill of the Canvas-back is 
longer and forms nearly a straight line with 
the crown, the bill and crown of the Redhead 
form a well-marked curve. S. R. and M. 
Ay thy a vallisneria. 147. 

Shoveller. Spoonbill. L. 20. 

Bill long and widened, with conspicuous 
comb-like teeth. Male in breeding plumage 
gaudily attired in black, white, green and blue. 
Female brownish, streaked and spotted, wing- 
patch green. S. R. and M. Spatula clypeata. 
142. 



Ducks and Geese. 

Wood Duck. L. 18%. 

Our most beautiful duck. Male and female 
with drooping crest. Male showing many col- 
ors and hues, too complicated to describe here. 
Female more plain. At home on wooded lakes 
and rivers. Nest in hollow trees. S. R. and 
M. Aix s pons a. 144. 

Green-winged Teal. L. 14%. 

In size like the Blue-winged Teal, but not 
nearly as common, breeds mostly northward 
and appears late in fall. Male, sides of head 
green, rest of head and neck brown, wing-patch 
green, no blue. Nettion carolinensis. 139. 

Lesser Scaup Duck. Bluebill, Blackhead. 

L. 16-17. 

A northern duck, appearing in large num- 
bers late in fall and early in spring. Bill short, 
bluish, with black tip. Head of male black 
with greenish gloss, belly and sides white. Fe- 
male brownish, base of bill and belly whitish. 
Ay thy a afhnis. 149. 

Canada Goose. L. 38. 

Our largest wild goose. Neck long, head 
and neck black with white patch on cheeks 
and throat, general color a deep gray, tips of 
feathers lighter. Most commonly seen in fall 
and spring, Hying in long lines and at great 
height, uttering a wild, sonolrous honk, honk. 
Breeds in undisturbed places. S. R. and M. 
Branta canadensis. 172. 

52 



Ducks and Geese. 

Hutchins Goose. L. 30. 

Like the Canada Goose, but smaller. Some- 
times flocks with the Canada geese. M. 
Branta canadensis hutchinsii. 172a. 

Greater Snow Goose. L. 30-38. 

White, tips of wings black, easily identified 
by their snow-white color and black wing tips. 
Quite noisy when on the wing. M. Chen 
hyperborea nivalis. 169a. 

Lesser Snow Goose. L. 23-28. 

Like the preceding, but smaller. Often flies 
in V-shaped lines. Both snow geese breed 
north of the United States. M. Chen hyper- 
bore a. 169. 



£3 



INDEX 



Page. 
Abbreviations 6 

Bittern, American 43 

Blackbird, Brewer 23 

Blackbird, Red- winged. . . 11 
Blackbird, Yellow -headed. 15 

Blackhead 52 

Bluebill 52 

Bluebird 13 

Bobolink 24 

Bob "White 36 

Bunting, Indigo. 14 

Bunting, Lark 24 

Butcherbird 28 

Canary, Yfild 17 

Canvasback. 51 

Catbird 27 

Chickadee, Black-capped. 2S 

Chicken, Prairie 36 

Coot, American. 47 

Cormorant, Double- crest- 
ed 49 

Cowbird. 24 

Creeper, Brown. 10 

Crossbill, American 12 

Crossbill, White- winged. . 13 

Crow, American 23 

Cuckoo, Black-billed 30 

Cuckoo, Yellow-billed 31 

Dickcissel 17 

Dove, Mourning 29 

Duck, Lesser Scaup 52 



Page. 
Duck, Wood. 52 

Eagle, Bald 39 

Eagle, Golden 39 

Explanations 6 

Finch, Purple 12 

Flicker, Northern. 7 

Goldfinch, American 17 

Goose, Canada 52 

Goose, Greater Snow 53 

Goose, Hutchin , . 53 

Goose, Lesser Snow 53 

Grackle, Bronzed 23 

Grebe, Pied-hilled 47 

Grosbeak, Evening. ...... 16 

Grosbeak, Pine 12 

Grosbeak, Rose -breasted. 11 

Grouse, Canada 37 

Grouse, Prairie Sharp-tail- 
ed 36 

Grouse, Ruffed 37 

Grouse, Sage 37 

Gull, Bonaparte 49 

Gull, Franklin 49 

Gull, Herring 49 

Hawk, Fish 40 

Hawk, Marsh. 38 

Hawk, Red-tailed 38 

Hawk, Sparrow. 38 

Hawk, Swarnson 39 

Hen, Prairie. 36 



54 



Index. 



Page. 
Heron, Black-crowned 

night. 43 

Heron, Great Blue 42 

Heron, Little Green 43 

Hummingbird, Ruby- 
throated 20 

Introduction 1 

Jay, Blue 13 

Jay, Canada 27 

Junco, Slate-colored. ... 29 

Kilideer 44 

Kingbird. 25 

Kingbird, Arkansas 16 

Kingfisher, Belted 14 

Land Birds 7 

Lark, Prairie Horned 31 

Loon 48 

Mallard 50 

Martin, Purple 21 

Meadowlark 13 

Mudhen. 4 7 

Ndghthawk. : 22 

Nuthatch, Red-breasted. . 10 
Nuthatch, White -breast- 
ed 9 

Oriole, Baltimore 15 

Oriole, Orchard 19 

Osprey, American 40 

Owl, Burrowing 41 

Owl, Great Horned 40 

Owl, Screech 40 

Owl, Short-eared 41 

Owl, Snowy 41 



Page. 

Pewee, Wood 26 

!Phoebe 25 

Pintail 51 

Prairie Chicken 36 

Redpoll 12 

Rail, Carolina. 46 

Rail, Virginia 45 

Redhead. 51 

Redstart. 18 

Robin, American 18 

Sandpiper, Bartramian. . . 45 

Sandpiper, Least 44 

Sandpiper, Spotted 44 

Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied. 9 

Shoveller. 51 

Shrike, Loggerhead 28 

Shrike, Northern 28 

Snipe, Wilson 45 

Snowbird 32 

Snownake 32 

Sora 46 

Sparrow, Chipping 34 

Sparrow, English 33 

Sparrow, Fox 31 

Sparrow, Grasshopper. ... 35 

Sparrow, Song 35 

Sparrow, Tree 35 

Sparrow, Vesper 34 

Spoonbill 61 

Swallow, Bank 21 

Swallow, Barn 20 

Swallow, Cliff 21 

Swallow, Tree 21 

Swift, Chimney 20 

Tanager, Scarlet 11 

Teal, Blue-winged 50 

Teal, Green-winged 52 



55 



Index, 



Page. 

Tern, Black 48 

Thrasher, Brown 30 

Thrush, Wood. 30 

Townee 19 

Vireo, Red-eyed 26 

Vireo, Warbling 26 

Warbler, Black and White 10 

Warbler, Yellow 17 

Water Birds 42 

Waxwing, Cedar 16 

Whippoorwill 22 

Wild Canary 17 

Woodcock, American 46 



Page. 

Woodpecker, Arctic Three- 
toed 3 

Woodpecker, Hairy 7 

Woodpecker, Northern 

Downy 7 

Woodpecker, Pileated 8 

Woodpecker, Red-headed. 7 

Wren, House 32 

Wren, Long-billed Marsh. 33 
Wren, Short-billed Marsh. 32 

Yellow Legs 45 

Yellow-legs, Greater 44 

Yellowhammer. 7 

Yellowthroat, Northern. . . 18 



LB.JL'05 



56 



J W 80 1905, 



A 



n 



I 





mm 



i 





